The world football is mourning the death of football legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) following the announcement last Thursday.
The Brazilian great had been battling with kidney and prostate issues over the years and finally gave up the ghost at age 82 after persistent interventions by doctors.
The man who goes to his grave as the only player to win three World Cup trophies as well as the only player to score as many as 1,279 goals in 1,363 games is touted as arguably the greatest of all time.
Various international football federations, retired stars, active footballers and fans among other stakeholders in the game have all been paying tributes via social media to Pelé.
Here are some of the reactions from the football fraternity.
Pelé, the only man to win the #FIFAWorldCup three times.
A legend of our game.
Rest in peace, the Eternal King. pic.twitter.com/1MS3DPxPDF
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 29, 2022
Tonight, we join fans the world over in mourning Pelé, one of football's all-time greatest players.
He was the first global superstar of the game and played a pioneering role in football's rise to become the world's most popular sport.
Rest in peace, Pelé.
— UEFA (@UEFA) December 29, 2022
We are saddened by the demise of Brazilian and World Football legend Pele. Our condolences to the Brazilian Football Federation, all Brazilians and to all football-loving fans across the World.
May Pele forever rest in his glory! pic.twitter.com/RMYU2A5M8B
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) December 30, 2022
The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten.
RIP KING ??… pic.twitter.com/F55PrcM2Ud— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) December 29, 2022
Everything you see any player doing, Pelé did it first. RIP ⚽️?? pic.twitter.com/SeW0z1hQTm
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 29, 2022
.@Pele, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has passed away. Along with @FIFAcom President, staff & the ⚽️ community worldwide, I extend my sympathies & prayers to his family, friends & fans. We have lost a myth, a legend & a great man. Meus sentimentos. Descanse em paz. pic.twitter.com/axxsHW3eEG
— Fatma Samoura (@fatma_samoura) December 29, 2022
The man that changed the game forever. More than a player.
Thank you for sharing your smile and talent with us.
Rest in peace. #Pele pic.twitter.com/2tIrSsrFZQ
— Nuri Şahin (@nurisahin) December 30, 2022
A sad day for football around the world.
Brazilian legend and three times World Cup winner Pele has passed away at the age of 82.Rest in peace Edson Arantes do Nascimento pic.twitter.com/ozE9qAJ7H7
— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) December 29, 2022
Meus pêsames a toda família.
Descanse em paz eterno Rei ? pic.twitter.com/dJFKIVKLDt— Ronaldinho (@10Ronaldinho) December 29, 2022
Pelé was one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, he understood the power of sports to bring people together. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved and admired him. pic.twitter.com/urGRDePaPv
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2022
“One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky” – Pele’s message after Diego Maradona died in 2020.
Enjoy your game, legends ? pic.twitter.com/t0l88bpILD
— GOAL (@goal) December 29, 2022
Thanks for everything. ??️ #Pele pic.twitter.com/EItF8tGNWN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 29, 2022
In 1969, Pele led a Santos team that played a friendly against Hearts of Oak in Ghana.
The game ended 2-2.
Always in our hearts ❤️❤️#3Sports pic.twitter.com/OpqIV7TxSI
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) December 30, 2022